DOWNTON ABBEY star LESLEY NICOL has hit back at a U.S. TV executive who branded DAME MAGGIE SMITH "very difficult" to work with, insisting the veteran star is professional at all times.Harry Potter actress Smith has proved a huge hit with TV audiences as the catty Dowager Countess of Grantham, but long-running rumours suggest she

Veteran actress DAME MAGGIE SMITH is reportedly battling breast cancer and recovering from an emergency operation to remove a tumour.The British screen legend reportedly underwent a course of chemotherapy to destroy cancerous cells, and is said to have bravely insisted on completing filming her role of schoolmistress Minerva McGonagall in the upcoming Harry Potter And

DAME JUDIE DENCH’s hit TV drama CRANFORD is leading the way at the U.K.’s Broadcasting Press Guild Awards with six nominations.The BBC series, based on three novels by author Elizabeth Gaskell, is up for Drama Series and Writer prizes, among others, while revered actress Dench is nominated for the Actress gong.Dame Maggie Smith is also

A play starring DAME MAGGIE SMITH will not be axed from the London stage despite lacklustre sales at the box office, according to the show’s former PR spokesman.The Oscar winner was cast in The Lady From Dubuque by theatre director Antony Page in a bid to boost ticket sales, but despite a reduction in prices,

Veteran actress DAME MAGGIE SMITH hates the way she is typecast because of her age, as she only gets offered parts playing "old bags".The 72-year-old HARRY POTTER star claims she doesn’t receive film scripts often, but accepts "old lady" roles as the pool of older actresses is constantly shrinking.She says, "I can assure you that

Veteran British actress DAME MAGGIE SMITH has slammed contemporary thespians for being "too fame hungry".The HARRY POTTER star laments today’s stars, who are prepared to strip off in a bid to further their career, insisting there is "no mystery" left in the acting profession.The 72-year-old says, "When I started acting, it wasn’t about fame. It

British acting veteran DAME MAGGIE SMITH is still suffering acute loneliness following the death of her second husband nine years ago (98).The 72-year-old is supported by two sons from her first marriage - actors CHRIS LARKIN and TOBY STEPHENS - but fears familial support is not enough to fill the gaping hole BEVERLEY CROSS’ death